Poem by Bryana Coleman (2009 Youth of the Year)
10/22/09

Places where geniuses and leaders are grown
The places where their talents can be sculpted and shown
Teaching young students important qualities
Instilling in our community friendship and unity

Inspiring others to reach for their dreams
Giving them the care and support they need
Be Great!  Be Great!  Is what we say
Making real life heroes to save the day

Club Tech, Keystone, S.W.A.T. and SADD
Programs destroying the sadness in a world so bad
Big Men on Campus, Ladies of Power, and Dream Girls
Preparing young men and women for the hurdles in this world.

Where positive things happen and dreams are born
Showing young people new things, making them want more
Showing them how to have goals and how to make plans
It all happens at after school programs.

Don’t Judge Me

I’m for real and forever true
I don’t think you’ve been through,
what I’ve been through.
Ups, downs, backwards and reverse
And to the people who judge me…
It’s the inside, that really counts first.
Sit down, take a moment to figure me out.
I may be different, but we’re all the same
you’re different too, but then who’s to blame.
Is it me… or what you see.
Well… maybe it’s you.
So the next time we meet,
whenever we do.
I’m going to say,
Please don’t feel blue.
Just ‘cause you’re different
You’re still only you.

-Sharda Perdue-

Faith

To survive, you must have faith
To stride, you must have faith
To stand up and be proud, you must have faith
To be heard and to speak loudly you must have faith
He died on the cross for our sins
And he gave us faith within
So cast out the bad and take the good in
With God by your side, you could win
So, when you’re feeling down and out
And you sometimes do
Keep your faith alive and you will make it through

-Sharda Perdue-

My Share

I’ve had my share of ups and downs
I’ve had my share of smiles and frowns
I’ve had my share of good and bad
I’ve had my share of happy and sad
I’ve had my share of old and new
I’ve had my share of boys like you
I’ve had my share of guys and lies
So, please don’t be a worldly guy
Drowning me with worldly lies
Try instead to be a man
So, I can really have a chance

-Sharda Purdue-

Look Harder

When I look into a mirror
All I see is a stranger looking at me
Her heart was broken with the weight of love
Fearing that no one understands, but God above
She hides herself in the pitch black
Scared of the foes
Who stabbed her in the back
It’s hard to find a really true friend
That has your back through thick and thin
But in the end, she will find all the friends she left behind
Last night, I cried for them and they laughed at me
Because what I am they will never be
Smart, proud and bright
When I pick friends, I will pick them right
But as I look harder, I begin to see
That the stranger in the mirror is really me

-Sharda Perdue-

And I Know

Baby I’ve noticed you’ve been down lately.
Sit down and let me know what’s shaken.
I don’t know what it is, but I know that something’s bugging.
The last few nights have been rough on you.
Whatever your pain is tell me so I can feel it too.
Whatever your hurt is put it on me, so I can hurt too.
Baby, I want you to understand. I don’t care what you’re going through.
Boy, I know but you think I don’t know what it is you need and want.
And I know why you been acting crazy.
And I know why you don’t wanna call me baby.
And I know about those other ladies.
Baby I know and you think I don’t.
And I know we are not meant to be.
And I know I don’t want your company.
Let me go in your head and break it down.
I don’t want you here. There’s no sense of you being around.
You know I love you, but I got to move on.
I wish I could change this decision, but you know it would be wrong.
Baby, I know about your secret phone calls and I know because you’re so-called
Girlfriend told it all.
I wanna let you know plain and clear that you have to go, because all your lies have a truth, and no matter what you say or do, I already know.

- Tatiana Wright -

Like a Lady

I’m feeling real good because I’m living my life like an independent lady.
Living my dreams and not worrying about babies.
Put me first and only me.
I’m ready to see what this world has to offer me.
Go shopping; buy whatever it is I need.
Not stressed over a man who don’t even love me
I’m happy that I’m out and on my own, because now
I know the true feeling of being strong.
I’ve always told myself to keep it real, but keep it shady and live my life as a lady.
No time to get any sleep.
I’m not trying to be expensive, but I won’t settle for cheap.
I’m trying to have as much fun as I can.
I’m far from having kids and a man.
My lady-like personality is what got me here.
Everyone’s not able like me to wear Pepe, Loui Vutton and John Deere.
I’m not the type to sit at home, cooking and cleaning.
I’m the type to be seen with my neck gleaming.
Ladies, if you feel me, let me know where I stand.
Because I don’t wanna be partying alone or partying with a man.
It’s time to throw those scrubs in the closet. You’ve done enough work.
You’ve taken all the pain and enough hurt.
Forget the lying and cheating, the kisses and hugs.
You don’t need a man you can do your own foot rub.

- Tatiana Wright -

Somewhat Closer To the End

The walking and talking, the lying and trying,
The screaming and denying is somewhat closer to the end.
The blocking and shocking, the gagging and dragging
the snatching, and scratching, the pushing
and moving, the whying and crying has yet to begin.
The hurt, the pain, the worries and shame are closer to the bend.
The blood, the sweat, the teasing and pleading has become a trend.
Now all that’s left of me is tears and sin,
knowing that this rape has come to an end.

- Tatiana Wright -

My Special Person

When I first met you,
I felt like a butterfly.
I was so afraid and scared.
But you were sweet and kind.
You were not afraid or scared
and always by my side.
So gentle and soft
and always by my side
when I am happy or sad.
He is my special person
and he is always with me.

~ Quintella Willis ~